PFUJ condemns the killing of Kashmiri journalist Shujaat Bukhari

KARACHI:(APS) June 15,2018: Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), an umbrella organisation for all the journalists unions in Pakistan, has condemned the killing of Kashmiri journalist Shujaat Bukhari by unknown armed men in Srinagar, the capital of Indian-occupied Kashmir.

The 50-year-old Mr Bukhari, editor of “Rising Kashmir” was killed in broad day light near his office in Srinagar on Thursday when armed men sprayed bullets on his vehicle. He alongwith his bodyguard was killed in the attack.

A joint press statement issued by PFUJ President Afzal Butt and Secretary General Ayub Jan Sarhandi, said that the editor of “Rising Kashmir” had been under threat both from state actors as well as militant organisations.

“We are concerned at the ruthless killing of Shujaat Bukhari which is apparently aimed at silencing the saner voices in the Indian-occupied Kashmir,” the statement said.

Describing Mr Bukhari as a fearless and courageous journalist, the PFUJ noted that he had reported on Kashmir issues very independently and thus was disliked by both state apparatus as well as militant groups.

“His killing is a severe blow to freedom of Press and free expression and we condemn this act with full force,” the statement said.

“The PFUJ calls upon the state government of Indian occupied Kashmir to bring the culprits to the book as early as possible.”

The PFUJ has already given a call to all the Press Clubs across the country to flutter black flags on their buildings on Friday and to hold his funeral prayers in absentia the same day.

“We stand with the Kashmiri journalists’ community in Indian controlled Kashmir in this hour of their grieve and assure them our fullest support and cooperation in their struggle for a free Press in the violence ridden valley,” the PFUJ statement said.